Why I am here

[Angell]

I thought I'd explain a bit of what prompted me to visit this site and what I am taking away from it.

After returning home from the military I fell into drugs and alcohol in an effort to escape some of the horrors I had experienced. Certainly not the best choice, but war is something that I don't think we as humans are psychologically predisposed to be able to handle. Eventually, that path brought me to twelve step meetings and I cleaned up, devoting myself once again to spiritual matters and a much better solution. The twelve step programs tout a liberal idea of God - allowing each of the members to embrace God as we understand God, but in reality 'God as we understand God' is pretty much a euphemism for 'God as the society you live in defines God'. Coming from a Christian country, it is pretty much a Christian God that is pushed. Not identifying as a Christian, the proselytizing became too much and after three years I left the twelve step program devoting myself to the spiritual principles that I had re-embraced. I know have over twenty years of continuous sobriety/clean time.

Recently, my wife returned home after twenty-four years in prison. She was ordered as a condition of her parole to attend twelve step meetings and as I have been without her for so long, I am overjoyed to be able to spend any time with her, in any venue - and so I have been attending with her. Once again the proselytizing became excessive and I was feeling uncomfortable and unwelcome practicing my own brand of spirituality and God as I understand God. Faced with this in the past, I simply walked away from the program but I am unwilling to walk away this time as I enjoy accompanying my wife.

I came here looking for common ground - a link between my beliefs and Christianity. A way to reconcile our differences and look for our similarities. I have found that here. I wanted to say that I found that Christianity was represented well here and I think, as Christians, you've given a good account of yourself and in doing so, healed the resentment and frustration I was feeling. I would like to thank you for that and wish you the best in your walk with God. If I find myself with any other questions, I shall come here first - you made me feel welcome and I appreciate that.

Angell

[Saved7]

Glad we were able to be a blessing to you and I hope you will continue to grow in faith and understanding of God as the Bible teaches. For any other way is simply a god we have created in our minds, in our own image, rather than being conformed to His image, as He created US to be. I enjoyed talking with you and I invite you to come and visit us often.

[claybevan]

I thought I'd explain a bit of what prompted me to visit this site and what I am taking away from it.

After returning home from the military I fell into drugs and alcohol in an effort to escape some of the horrors I had experienced. Certainly not the best choice, but war is something that I don't think we as humans are psychologically predisposed to be able to handle. Eventually, that path brought me to twelve step meetings and I cleaned up, devoting myself once again to spiritual matters and a much better solution. The twelve step programs tout a liberal idea of God - allowing each of the members to embrace God as we understand God, but in reality 'God as we understand God' is pretty much a euphemism for 'God as the society you live in defines God'. Coming from a Christian country, it is pretty much a Christian God that is pushed. Not identifying as a Christian, the proselytizing became too much and after three years I left the twelve step program devoting myself to the spiritual principles that I had re-embraced. I know have over twenty years of continuous sobriety/clean time.

Recently, my wife returned home after twenty-four years in prison. She was ordered as a condition of her parole to attend twelve step meetings and as I have been without her for so long, I am overjoyed to be able to spend any time with her, in any venue - and so I have been attending with her. Once again the proselytizing became excessive and I was feeling uncomfortable and unwelcome practicing my own brand of spirituality and God as I understand God. Faced with this in the past, I simply walked away from the program but I am unwilling to walk away this time as I enjoy accompanying my wife.

I came here looking for common ground - a link between my beliefs and Christianity. A way to reconcile our differences and look for our similarities. I have found that here. I wanted to say that I found that Christianity was represented well here and I think, as Christians, you've given a good account of yourself and in doing so, healed the resentment and frustration I was feeling. I would like to thank you for that and wish you the best in your walk with God. If I find myself with any other questions, I shall come here first - you made me feel welcome and I appreciate that.

Angell

Such honesty, you're the blessing. Thank you